Denim and Mache/Two Sides of Expression

Carla, I saw a suggested post from her account. I remember it quite vividly. It was the Shooting Star. I was GAGGED! I loved it! My experience in seeing people work with paper mache has been at work for a community play. Various animals along with a nobal and a bruja all in theme within our culture against Space X. Since then an interest in these medium sparked a huge interest. Higher than it was before!

It's not just the creation, but the involvement of life and character given to these makes it feel so ALIVE!

I just had to know more so here we are. This is Carla @chilecanela

First of all, who is Carla, what could you share with the reader about yourself from the silliest to the craftiest as she says "I am an artist and art educator from the Valley, currently based in San Antonio, Texas. I’ve been making art for as long as I can remember! Currently, I make oil paintings on denim that talk about generational anger, and I have been making paper mache masks" I have seen the oil paintings, which we will dive into later, but the first thing I saw was the paper mache. Currently a few, but man. I hear oil painting is ... messy haha, but also it's OIL not acrylic so it has it challenges? Especially on denim. Thinking about paper mache and the process behind that from what I've seen. Carla, you're playing with 2 messy mediums, but it's interesting because you're using them from what it seems to also express the other "side" of the "generational anger" mentioned with the oil paintings. Hmmm.

I'm jumping into it. Shooting Star, how did this come to be? I remember seeing it on my feed and being blown away! It's so SICK! As she explains "Ah, thank you for asking that! Following my first paper mache mask, 'Bimbo,' I knew I wanted to keep working with paper mache. The idea for my second paper mache mask came to me when my partner and I came back home at night. We were walking across the parking lot, and I remember looking up at the sky and seeing all these stars. I told him I had seen a shooting star recently. I joked 'Imagine if the star had guns?' and we both laughed. And that is when the idea for 'Shooting Star' came to be. In my head, I saw how it looked like, what color palette to use, its expression, and how big it would be. When we got home, I quickly sketched it out. I was so excited to make it! Dude, you know. I read this quote shared by a friend. That said "forgetting the idea you once had is worse than dying." Sharing your experience and choosing to take that moment to create "Shooting Star." Especially seeing the vision in your mind and getting started one plaster of paper at a time. Next time I look up at the sky and see a star. I'll think it's holding a gun or two haha.

I see you've created three paper mache masks. Volcan, Shooting Star and Bimbo-Nation if I'm correct. Paper mache masks...I've seen the process at my job on how paper mache masks are made and it is a PROCESS! How did paper mache come to be a medium you now use to create? As she explains "It is a long process for sure! I’ve always been interested in paper mache. I have done it before, but it was always related to school, and the projects were tied to deadlines. Last year, I was looking online for a paper mache workshop, mainly to meet new people and to start a new project. I ended up joining a free paper mache workshop from San Anto Cultural Arts, and I met so many people. I also ended up creating a big red serrano pepper, which I did a photoshoot with. It was the first time I have ever done a photoshoot, especially a campy, silly one like that! It required so much effort, but it was so exciting and fun! This eventually inspired me to make paper mache masks and create photoshoots."

Shooting - Star / Bimbo

Could you also share a bit about these masks individually and the fun you had throughout the whole process as Carla shares by saying "Of course! My first mask is called 'Bimbo' which is based on the Mexican pan Bimbo bear and a play on words on 'bimbo,' which is an American insult for a ditzy, not so smart woman. It also references a niche meme. I have been wanting to be this for Halloween for a while, and I was finally able to do it last year. Of course, 'Shooting Star' is a play on words as well. I also used Clint Eastwood as a reference for the expression, and it shows my infatuation with Western wear and cowboys. Finally, 'Volcan' is based on a volcano and Jose Jose’s song 'Volcan.' Essentially, every single one of these masks represents a facet of me and things that I love, including performing, silly humor, and dressing up. I think that is what makes these pieces so special." As Carla shares that their oil painting is an expression of "generational anger" this is what I mean by the masks being the "other side." It's a representation of Carla, of what she loves. That's what I felt from viewing and looking into both mediums. Especially interesting enough with the stories both mediums hold for Carla from what has been shared.

Shooting - Star / Bimbo / Volcan

You mention in one of your posts "remember to make silly art." Could you explain the importance behind this especially on the word "silly" as she states "When we remove external voices and social pressures when we are creating our art, I truly believe we are creating the purest and most honest work. Having worked with children, I noticed when they make artwork, they intuitively involve play and are so curious to try new things. It is so beautiful to see, honestly. Being able to tap into your silliness – your inner child, your humor, lightheartedness – is the best thing you can do when you create, especially during these times." I mean hell you created Shooting Star on a WHIM! On a saying under a shooting star! You created the paper mache chile to not only meet new people, but to pique your own curiosity! To experiment is a joyous thing for what I always say. It just may become one of your new favorite mediums to do and blend in with others.

San Benito Mujer-Eresíces Exhibition, was this an open call or a curation? How was this experience for you? "Prickly" is insane! Love it! Could you share a few words about this piece? "Ah, thank you for the kind words! It was an open call, and it was a great experience being able to show 'Prickly' for the first time. 'Prickly' is an oil self-portrait on denim. I shaped the denim to look like a grass burr, which are those prickly, little things that snag on your socks when you walk through tall grass. I had originally thought of this idea from a place of empowerment, but through its process, it revealed to me that it was really about defensiveness and vulnerability. I’m thankful that people resonated with this piece." Un cadillo, ohhh! That deep RED with the cadillo's pricks poking out. Interesting because the way I saw it was an "attack mechanism" for getting in their way, for walking in their home unwelcomed in terms of the grass burr, but here a defense mechanism. Looking at it more, at first I thought it was your hands, but no...it's someone else's? Especially the under shadow by the nose and eyes really makes it quite...un-nerving. The denim itself you made it look like flesh, made it come to life through the span of 6 months. I can see this grass burr pulsating and gushing.

I continue by asking was this the only piece you exhibited or was there more? If there was more, what would you name the series of pieces you exhibited and why? "For Mujer-Eres, this was the only piece I showed, but I am definitely making more pieces with inorganic forms. Since I view denim as representation of flesh and because it is so flexible and tough, I probably would name the series something along the lines of flesh and tension." Oh? Flesh and tension! I can only imagine what that would hold for itself especially with the upcoming pieces. How exciting!

I saw at the FLUNCE show, your artwork is at the San Benito Heritage Museum! A "Fashion show", hell your art work mixed in so well. I believed it was part of the runway at some point!

Earlier in the year, San Benito, Round 2 - MIXTA CULTURA! Showcasing your masks!

Former RGV, now back to showcase once again. How does it feel to show your art back at home? "Thank you, I didn’t even know there was a fashion show at the San Benito Heritage Museum! That is super cool. Two of my masks – 'Shooting Star' and 'Bimbo' – along with their props are currently displayed at the San Benito Cultural Center. It feels great to show in the valley along with talented artists and to have support from its art community. One of my goals is to perhaps be part of a runaway or photoshoot, with or without my masks. Ah, one day!"

What would you say are some of your favorite mediums and why? Are there any others you wish to experiment with? "I would say that tactile media is my favorite, like paper mache, clay, and textiles. I get a different feeling when I translate a 2D sketch into something 3-dimensional and interactive. It is also really forgiving and keeps my hands busy, especially when I am trying to limit screen time use. As for what media I would like to experiment with, I would like to work with beadwork and needle felting. Soon, hopefully!" Is this how you thought of turning the grass burr turned denim, turned red? Or even your thoughts on paper mache into 3D. Yeah, you've shown examples and you get it done! I've played with clay once at a workshop, it's interesting, but it usually takes me awhile to get my vision out there. Fun, but takes me awhile.

What are you currently working on now if you'd like to share or give us a slight clue as she hints by saying "I am working on a painting and another mask. It will be another painting on denim that talks about anger in the body, but I hope to increase the tension and size of this piece and introduce a new medium. For the mask, it is based on another fascination I have. All I can say is, I hope it doesn’t suck!"

Any final comments you'd like to make?

"Thank you again for this thoughtful, fun interview! If you would like to support my work, please feel free to follow me on Instagram @chilecanela. Again, make silly art!"